Coupling for a flywheel



Fab... 23, 1937} E. A. $160 COUPLING FOR A FLYWHEEL I v Filed April 9,1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l lnvenlor Z A 61.99 1

Bygg M I y Attorney:

.Feb.23,1937. E. A; SIGG 2,071,475

COUPLING FOR A FLYWHEEL Filed April 9., 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23,1937. E. A.,s|GG 2,071,475

COUPLING FOR A FLYWHEEL Filed April '9, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet s Feb. 23,1937. E. A. SIGG 2,071,475 COUPLING FOR A FLYWHEEL I Filed April 9, 19365 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenlor Feb. 23, 1937. A g- 2,071,475

COUPLING FOR A FLYWHEEL Filed April 9, 1936 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 InvenlorBy Z4, M I km 5 Attorney;

Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inflywheels particularly for various types of internal combustion engines,although it will be understood, of course, that a flywheel constructedin accordance with the present invention may be used for any purpose forwhich it may be found adapted and desirable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a flywheel of the aforementioned characterembodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of partsthrough the medium of which substantially all shock and vibration fromthe engine will be materially reduced or eliminated, thus promotingefliciency in general as well as prolonging the life of the engine andthe mechanism driven thereby.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a yielding or cushionedflywheel of the character described which will be comparatively simplein construction, strong, durable, highly efficientand reliable in use,compact and which may be manuiactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a cushioned flywheelconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the invention, takensubstantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the invention with the ringconstituting an important part of the device omitted.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section, takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the clutch member.

Figure 6 is a detail view in front elevation of the driving member orwheel.

Figure '7 is a detail view in rear elevation of the ring.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the clutch member.

Figure 9 is a detail View in perspective of one of the cushions.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in vertical section throu h a slightlymodified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated in Figures 1 to9, inclusive, comprises a wheel I of suitable material and dimensionswhich includes a hub portion 2 provided with a central bore 3. The hubportion 2 further includes a plurality of openings 4 which areconcentric with the bore 3 for receiving attaching bolts (not shown) forsecuring the flywheel to the crankshaft of an engine in 10 any suitablemanner. The reference numeral 5 designates a starter gear which isrecessed in and secured to the periphery of the wheel I at the forwardend thereof.

The wheel I has formed in its opposite faces 15 annular channels 6 forthe reception of a ring I. and a clutch member 8. it may be well to herestate that the elements I and 8,when the invention is assembled and inoperation, are capable of rotary movement relative to the wheel I. Asbest seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, the wheel I has formed therein,adjacent the hub portion 2, a plurality of concentric, arcuate slots 9which communicate with the annular channels 6. Operable in the slots 9are substantially segmental lugs II) which are integral with the clutchmember 8. The free end portions of the lugs ID are engaged insubstantially segmental sockets I I (see Figure 7) which are providedtherefor in the inner face of the ring II]. It will thus be seen that 30the ring I and clutch member 8 are positively secured together forrotation in unison. Bolts I2 pass through the clutch member 8, the lugsI0 and the ring I for securing said ring I and said clutch member 8 inposition on the wheel I. It 35 will be observed that the heads I3 of thebolts I2 are countersunk in the clutch member 8. Mounted in the slots 9on opposite sides of the lugs III are substantially segmental resilientrubber blocks I4.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readilyapparent. The clutch member 8 is driven by the wheel I through theresilient blocks I4. Thus, substantially all strains, shocks andvibration, instead of being transmitted to the clutch member 8, thetransmission and drive shaft, etc. of the automobile will be absorbed bythe cushions I4. The lugs Ill are of a length to permit the bolts I2 tobe 50 drawn up tightly without binding the ring I and the clutch member8 to the wheel I. As hereinbefore stated, the engagement of the lugs toin the sockets II positively secure the elements 1 and 8 againstrelative rotary movement 55 and this constitutes an important feature ofthe invention.

The modification shown in Figure 10 of the drawings may be used forstationary engines and includes a wheel of the spoke type I5 havingformed in the opposite faces or sides of its outer portion annulargrooves I6 for the reception of rings I'I. Establishing communicationbetween the grooves or channels I6 are arcuate slots I8 whichaccommodate slidable elements I9. The elements I9 function in a mannersimilar to the lugs I 0 and are mounted between pairs of resilientrubber blocks, similar to the blocks I4, in the slots I8. The endportions of the elements I9 are engaged in sockets 20 which are providedtherefor in the inner faces of the rings I1. Bolts 2| pass through therings I! and the elements I9 for securing said rings and elements inassembled relation on the wheel I5. The operation of this embodiment ofthe invention is substantially similar to that illustrated in the otherfigures.

It is believed that the many advantages of a flywheel constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough preferred embodiments of the device are as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that further modifications and changesin the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall withinthe scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling for a flywheel of the class described comprising a wheelmember having annular channels in opposite sides thereof and furtherhaving arcuate slots therein establishing communication between thechannels, a ring rotatably mounted in one of the channels, said ringhaving a plurality of sockets in its inner face, a clutch memberrotatably mounted in the other channel, lugs integral with the clutchmember and operable in the slots, the free end portions of said lugsbeing engaged in the sockets, bolts extending between the ring and theclutch member for rotatably securing said ring and clutch member in thechannels, and resilient elements mounted in the slots on opposite sidesof the lugs for yieldingly resisting relative rotary movement betweenthe wheel member and the clutch member.

2. A coupling for a flywheel of the class described comprising a wheelmember having annular channels in opposite sides thereof and furtherhaving arcuate slots therein establishing communication between thechannels, a gear mounted on the periphery of the wheel, a ring rotatablymounted in one of the channels, said ring having a concentric series ofsubstantially segmental sockets in its inner face aligned with theslots, a clutch member rotatably mounted in the other channel, spacingelements integral with said clutch member and operable in the slots,said spacing elements having their free end portions engaged in thesockets, said spacing elements being substantially segmental in crosssection, securing bolts extending through the clutch member, the spacingelements and the ring, and resilient blocks mounted in the slots onopposite sides of the spacing elements for yieldingly resisting relativerotary movement between the wheel member and the clutch member.

EMIL A. SIGG.

